Despite knowing the story via musicals and movies, I had never read Oliver Twist until Christmas, 2009. The stories of hunger, homelessness, vicious attitudes towards the poor are not only of a bygone age, but still exist in contemporary forms. Between chapters of Oliver I read New York Times reporting on homeless, out of work Ecuadorian day laborers sleeping on mattresses under overpasses in the Big Apple and politicians warning of poor people getting lazy on food stamps. I was not sure I had left Charles Dickens. Trenchant social commentary with characters who paly to stereotypes, but who maintain individuality. I was confused about the portrayal of Fagin the 'Jew' who seemed full of contradictions as wereNancy, and the rest of the gang. Oliver, fair-haired prince, of course, and the saviors could do no wrong, which gives you a twisting feel good book where the orphaned child comes to a happy ending and justice is served.

When reading this book I found that it was quite a good read. It had humor, was descriptive, and entertaining. It was interesting because it had many characters of many backgrounds coming together in some way or another. When it came to describing simple things such as the morning air, Charles Dickens showed to describe in a detailed manner that was not boring. One could also find themselves cheering along Oliver to get out of harms way and everyone else who was trying to help him. There was a lot of treachery unkindness and dishonesty around Oliver as he was growing up but in the end he finally finds the family he needed while other characters don't have the same happy ending. All in all I think that I would choose to read it again sometime in the future...it was that good! ( )

Scrooge thought Christmas is humbug. His nephew Bob Said "Merry Christmas,uncle!" But,he replied "Good afternoon!"
But on Christmas Eve three spirits came to visit him.
Thanks to them,he notice something important.

I was happy when Scrooge could say "Merry Christmas!"
This is heart-warming story. I love it very much.
I would like to have great Christmas,too. ( )

Trojan horse infant causes similar outcome as Oliver the spy did 20 years previously. Collision of the established and disenfranchised in a pre-revolutionary year.

"Please, sir, may I have some more (porridge)?" ( )